Getting caught out in a downpour and arriving at work or to meet friends with damp, frizzy hair is an irritating, but unfortunately common occurrence at this time of year.
But, is there anything we can do to prevent the inevitable autumn showers from wreaking havoc on our well-groomed barnets?
We asked some experts to explain exactly how the wet weather impacts our hair, and what we can do to keep our locks looking luscious…
“When your hair is exposed to rain, especially polluted rainwater, the extra moisture can disrupt your hair’s structure, leading to frizz, puffiness in curly hair, or limpness in straight hair,” explains Moe Harb, resident hair expert at Beauty Club London. “Raised cuticles also make hair more susceptible to tangling.”
Is it just temporarily annoying or could it actually cause damage?
Eva Proudman, trichologist and in-house expert at Absolute Collagen, says: “Whilst the occasional drizzle is unlikely to cause significant damage, frequent exposure can cause more harm. Rainwater is naturally slightly acidic, which can disrupt the hair’s pH balance, leading to dryness, brittleness, and breakage over time.
“If you live in an area with high pollution levels, rainwater can carry pollutants that deposit on your hair, compromising its health even more,” Proudman adds.
The best defence against a rainy-day hair disaster is preparation.
Coco & Eve Sweet Repair Intensive Hair Repairing Leave-In Treatment 50ml, £28, available from Oliver Bonas, Amazon, Boots and other stockists
“After getting caught in the rain, your first step should be to towel-dry your hair gently, and apply a smoothing cream or oil to control the frizz and add shine,” recommends Harb.
Natural Haircare Coconut Hair Serum, £12.99, TK Maxx
Hairspray also work wonders on frizz and fly-aways if you are looking to achieve the sleek look.
“For fly-aways and frizz on the surface of the hair, I would recommend spraying light hold hairspray onto a brush and then brush lightly on the surface of the hair over the frizz ,” advises Desmond Grundy, celebrity hairstylist and brand ambassador for Bristows. “You can do this with a comb as well.
Bristows Conditioning Hold Hairspray, £1.65, Savers
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Murdock London Sea Salt Spray 150ml, £22, John Lewis